Dive into a quirky discussion about the merits of authoritarianism, capitalism, and democratic socialism. The hosts use the amusing 'Pretty Pig Problem' to highlight the flaws in comparing real-world systems versus idealized visions. They explore our biases in assessing markets and state interventions. Alongside a humorous tale featuring a talking dog, they unpack the complexities of trust and truth in society's organization. It's a playful yet thought-provoking look at how we evaluate the systems that shape our lives.
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insights INSIGHT
Three Viable Social Systems
Only three social systems work at scale: authoritarianism, capitalism, and democratic socialism.
Each can range from ideal forms to corrupted forms influencing their outcomes.
insights INSIGHT
Ideal vs Corrupted Systems
Ideal systems always have corrupted versions leading to power distortions.
Capitalism risks wealth turning into political power; socialism risks political power creating unearned wealth.
insights INSIGHT
The Pretty Pig Problem
Comparing actual forms of disliked systems to idealized admired ones is a flawed approach.
This "Pretty Pig Problem" misleads judgment about which political-economic system is best.
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In this book, Frederick P. Brooks discusses several key issues in software engineering, most notably 'Brooks's Law,' which states that adding manpower to a late software project makes it later. The book explores the complexities of large programming projects, the difficulties in measuring work in 'man-months,' and the importance of effective communication and team management. It also includes insights from Brooks's experience managing the development of IBM's System/360 and OS/360.
The Intellectuals
Paul Johnson
In this book, Paul Johnson scrutinizes the moral and judgmental credentials of several leading intellectuals, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Karl Marx, Henrik Ibsen, Leo Tolstoy, Ernest Hemingway, Bertolt Brecht, Bertrand Russell, Jean-Paul Sartre, and others. Johnson questions their respect for truth, their application of public principles to private lives, and their loyalty to friends. The book highlights the contradictions and flaws in these intellectuals, often revealing hypocrisy, Messianic complexes, and cruel behavior, raising concerns about their ability to advise humanity on moral and societal issues.
How should we decide which political-economic systems are best for organizing society? Let's peer through the lens of the "Pretty Pig Problem," which highlights the flaws in comparing the actual implementation of systems we dislike with idealized versions of systems we prefer. The PPP shows that we must compare real-world options rather than theoretical ideals.
Some details: • Only three social systems are viable at scale: authoritarianism, capitalism, and democratic socialism • Every system has both an ideal form and a corrupted form that must be considered • The "Pretty Pig Problem" highlights our tendency to unfairly compare real systems to idealized alternatives • People on the left note market problems and conclude state intervention is necessary without examining real state actions • People on the right highlight state problems and assume markets are better without considering actual market performance
And....TWEJ! And Book'o'da'week!
Listen next Tuesday, June 24th, for a new episode of Tidy C with a new topic, letters, and another hilarious TWEJ.
The Answer Is Transaction Costs 
